all eyes on jesus | risen

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” Mark 16:1-8, NIV

Arriving at the tomb, three women are greeted not by the cold stillness of death but by an empty sepulchre and radiant messenger. "He has risen; he is not here!" These words pierce the darkness of the tomb... and our hearts.

In this pivotal moment, the faithful three are entrusted with a divine commission. God chooses not only to reveal Jesus' resurrection to them first, but also to make them the deliverers of this world-changing news. They will tell the other disciples of the empty tomb and testify to the victory over sin and death secured by Christ's sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection. What a privilege!

It is our privilege, too. Who will you talk to about the power that raised Jesus from the dead? How will you help them understand the same power is at work in your life today? Who will you speak to about the assurance of forgiveness, the promise of eternal life, and the invitation to a renewed and transformed existence? Help someone else embrace new life today.

Let’s pray
Lord, I want my life to be a testimony to the living hope I have in Christ, echoing the angels' proclamation, "He is risen!" Empower me to make it so, Lord. Amen.